WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today on the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2014, which does not provide funding for a cost-of-living adjustment for Department of Veterans Affairs civilian employees:

“I am disappointed that House Republicans are once again asking Department of Veterans Affairs workers to forgo their annual cost-of-living adjustment for another year. This represents what is essentially a pay cut for middle-class workers who are hard at work every day, caring for the veterans to whom we owe a sacred trust and making sure they receive the benefits they have earned through their service.

“Just as Congress has consistently legislated pay and benefits for our men and women in uniform that reflect the contributions they make, we must compensate our civilian federal employees in a manner the reflects their many contributions to our national defense and the health and well-being of every American. It is also important to remember that civilian federal employees have contributed over $114 billion to deficit reduction over the past three years.”